JP2835563B2 - Edge connectors for printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to improvements in edge connectors for printed circuit boards.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In today's high-speed electronic devices, it is desirable to optimize all components involved in an interconnect path for their signal transmission characteristics or otherwise impair system performance. Would. Such properties include rise time, system bandwidth, crosstalk, impedance control and propagation delay. In particular, ideally, the characteristics of the electrical connector have little or no effect on the interconnect system.

[0003] It has been found that inductance is one of the important factors in designing an ideal connector. This is especially true for electrical connectors for high speed electronic devices that include high frequency transmissions.
An electrical connector widely used for such an application is generally called an “edge card connector”, and a conventional edge connector has the following configuration. An edge connector for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the mating edge, the elongated connector having a slot between left and right side walls for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A housing, a latch member erected in a post shape above each end of the housing,
A terminal having a plurality of spring contact elements having contact portions attached to the housing along a side wall on one side of the slot; and a bias spring disposed along a side wall on the other side of the slot. The printed circuit board is mounted in the slot, and the upper part of the printed circuit board is engaged with a post-shaped latch member provided above each of the left and right sides of the housing. The biasing means pushes the other surface of the area having the contact pads below the printed circuit board, thereby biasing each of the plurality of spring contact elements whose contact portions are in contact with one surface below the printed circuit board, and the plurality of one side. With the elasticity of the spring contact element and the elasticity of the bias means on the other side just balanced, the lower part of the printed circuit board A plurality of contact pads under the printed circuit board and a contact portion of the spring contact element of the plurality of terminals are sandwiched between the spring contact element of the above and the bias means on the other side. No. 3,894,977 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 64-10986.

[0004]

In the above-described conventional electrical connector, when the printed circuit board is mounted in a predetermined position, the left and right sides of the printed circuit board are held by the post-shaped latch members. Since the lower region of the plate where the contact pads are formed is only sandwiched between the plurality of spring contact elements and the bias means, it has the following problems. That is, when the electrical contacts have the same shape, the longer the length of the spring contact element, the greater the inductance of the terminal, and thus the inductance of the electrical connector itself. Therefore, it is desirable to make the length of the spring contact element as short as possible. However, shortening the spring contact element in the prior art presents several problems. For one thing, if the spring contact elements are short, it is difficult to keep all of the multiple spring contact elements at the same resiliency, and it is difficult to maintain a constant contact pressure on the printed circuit board. Further, it is actually the case that the printed circuit board has variations in its width or warps between the left and right sides. If a relatively wide printed circuit board is inserted into the connector, or if a part in the center protrudes from the left and right ends due to warpage, the width is large or
When the printed circuit board whose central part is protruding is received, the part that is excessively deformed is permanently fixed as it is because it is short. This permanent fixation of the contacts is achieved by the fact that when a relatively narrow circuit board or a printed circuit board with no warpage in its center is subsequently inserted into the connector, the spring contact elements are contact pads on the edge of the printed circuit board. And the electrical contact of the electrical connector becomes unreliable and practically ineffective.

[0005]

An object of the present invention is to provide an edge connector having a short length of a spring contact element, which can reduce the inductance of a terminal and the inductance of an electric connector itself.

Even if the spring contact element is shortened, the contact pressure on the contact pads of the printed circuit board can be kept constant at all times, and the width of the printed circuit board varies, so that the width of the printed circuit board is wider than the standard one. Whether it accepts a large printed circuit board or a printed circuit that is warped between the left and right and has a protruding part in the middle,
Without causing excessive permanent deformation of short spring contact elements,
An object of the present invention is to provide an edge connector having a spring contact element that can be effectively connected to a contact pad of a printed circuit board at all times.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following technical means. That is, the present invention will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the embodiments. The present invention provides an edge connector for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent to the mating edge. 20, an elongated housing 22 having a slot 24 between left and right side walls 22a, 22b for receiving a mating edge of the printed circuit board; and a housing 22 along the side wall 22a on one side of the slot 24. A terminal 40 having a plurality of spring contact elements 50 having attached contact portions 50a and biasing means disposed along a side wall 22b on the other side of the slot 24;
When the printed circuit board is received in the printed circuit board, the biasing means presses the other surface of the printed circuit board, thereby biasing each of the plurality of spring contact elements 50 whose contact portions 50a are in contact with one surface of the printed circuit board. In the edge connector for a printed circuit board for contacting the plurality of contact pads of the printed circuit board with the contact portions 50a of the spring contact elements 50 of the plurality of terminals 40, the one side wall of the housing 22 A terminal receiving cavity 32a for receiving each of the spring contact elements 50 of the terminal 40 and an abutment surface 52 abutting on one surface of the printed circuit board are formed along the inner wall side of the inner wall 22a. At the same time, each of the spring contact elements 50 of the terminal 40 has its contact portion 50a directed toward the slot 24 from the contact surface 52. When the printed circuit board is mounted in the slot 24 and the other lower surface of the printed circuit board is pressed by the biasing means, The lower portion of the printed circuit board is moved until one surface thereof comes into contact with the contact surface 52 in the housing, and as a result, each spring contact element 50 projecting from the contact surface 52 in the housing toward the slot 24. Is the contact portion 50
The terminal receiving cavities 32a are sized to allow the spring contact element 50 to be deformed, until the a is located at the position of the contact surface 52 in the housing. This is an edge connector for a printed circuit board.

According to the above arrangement, when the printed circuit board is mounted in the slot 24, the bias means in the housing 22 presses the other surface below the printed circuit board, and one surface of the printed circuit board comes into contact with the lower surface. Each spring contact element 50 which has been brought to abut against the surface 52 and consequently protrudes from the abutment surface 52 toward the slot 24, has its contact portion 50a in contact with the contact pad of the printed circuit board. The bias is applied until the contact surface 52 is located. The lower part of the printed circuit board where the contact pads are formed is displaced by the bias means, and the displacement is always determined at the contact surface 52. Therefore, even if the plurality of spring contact elements 50 are short, the contact pressure of the spring contact elements 50 on the printed circuit board contact pads is kept constant, and the width of the printed circuit board varies,
Even if a printed circuit board having a width larger than the reference width is inserted into the slot 24 or a printed circuit board having a warp between the right and left and a central portion protruding is inserted, the printed circuit board is biased. Since the lower part stops at the contact surface 52, the short spring contact element does not deform excessively.
Always in good contact. Therefore, the inductance can be reduced by shortening the spring contact element.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 1 and FIG.
3, an edge connector 20 is shown for receiving a printed circuit board (not shown) having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent thereto. This type of connector 20 is commonly referred to as an edge card connector in that it has a slot 24 in its contact area into which the edge of a printed circuit board can be inserted. The connector 20 is elongate and has a plurality of rows of spring contact elements along a left side wall 22b on either side of a longitudinally extending elongate slot 24 in an insulative housing 22. These spring contact elements make contact with contact pads provided along mating edges of the printed circuit board inserted into the slots.

That is, the edge connector 20 includes an insulating housing 22 having a slot 24 for receiving a printed circuit board extending longitudinally of the connector for receiving an edge of the printed circuit board. I have. A plurality of depending portions 26 extend from housing 22 for engaging surface 28 of second printed circuit board 30. This printed circuit board 30 is often referred to as a motherboard, while a printed circuit board inserted into slot 24 is referred to as a daughter board.

In addition, the housing 22 also includes a plurality of lateral cavities 32 spaced longitudinally of the slots 24 to alternately receive terminals of different shapes, as described below. In particular, each lateral cavity 32 has a cavity portion 32a on a left side wall 22a on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the slot 24 and a right side wall 22b on the opposite side (right side in FIG. 1) of the slot 24. Has a hollow portion 32b. Each of these cavities 32 has a wall portion 34a separating one terminal receiving cavity portion 32a and a wall portion 34b separating the other terminal receiving cavity portion 32b. Are separated from each other along the direction. The wall portion 34a is shaped to provide an overhang portion 35 over the cavity portion 32a, protecting the top of the terminals 38 and 40 and preventing the terminals from accidentally breaking.

The housing 22 also includes a plurality of holes 36 outside the cavity 32, which are generally aligned laterally with the cavity for the purposes described below. Each hole 36 includes a lower opening 36 a that opens at the bottom of the housing 22. The entire housing is integrally formed of an insulating material such as plastic.

The housing 22 has a plurality of cavities 32 and holes 36 aligned in the lateral direction.
A plurality of terminals are mounted spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Before describing the terminals in detail, the printed circuit board inserted into the slot 24 has a plurality of contact pads, two rows along and parallel to the mating edge of the printed circuit board inserted into the slot. It should be understood that the bad is formed. One row of contact pads is located near the edge of the circuit board and the other row is spaced further inward therefrom. Therefore, the terminals are connected to the housing 2 such that their spring contact elements alternate in the longitudinal direction of the housing and alternately engage two rows of contact pads along the mating edge of the printed circuit board.
2 are arranged.

More specifically, terminals indicated by reference numerals 38 and 40 are mounted in the housing 22 so as to be alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the terminals 38 are alternately arranged with the adjacent terminals 40. The shape of both terminals 38 and 40 is similar up to having a base portion 42, barbs 44 projecting upward from these base portions, and contact legs 46 projecting downward from the base portion. These terminals are attached to the housing by inserting barbs 44 from the bottom of the housing 22 through the mouth 36a of the holes 36 to form an interference fit between these barbs and the side walls of each hole. If desired, the edges of barbs 44 can be formed in a sawtooth shape. The contact legs 46 engage circuit traces on the upper surface 28 of the printed circuit board 30 (motherboard). Terminal 38
Has cantilevered spring contact elements 48 projecting upward from each base portion 42, while terminals 40 have cantilevered spring contact elements projecting upwardly from each base portion. An element 50 is provided. If desired, a solder tail projecting into a hole in the printed circuit board can be formed in place of the contact leg 46, as is well known.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the spring contact element 48 of the terminal 38 is connected to the spring contact element 5 of the terminal 40.
Shorter than 0. Therefore, hereinafter, the spring contact element 48
Is referred to as a "short" spring contact element, and the spring contact element 50 is referred to as a "long" spring contact element. In any case, the shape of both spring contact elements 48 and 50 is such that they project into slot 24 to engage contact pads along the mating edge of a printed circuit board (daughter board) inserted into slot 24. .

The housing 22 has a slot 2 from which the spring contact elements 48 and 50 protrude.
An abutment surface is provided along the side of 4 and defines a reference plane beyond which the contact portion of the spring contact element extends to slot 24. Further, a biasing means is provided on the housing for displacing the printed circuit board toward the abutment surface to deflect the spring contact element by a predetermined amount.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, a wall portion 34a between the hollow portions 32a on one side wall 22a.
Are aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing 22 so that the slots 2
4 has a contact surface 52 that defines one surface (the left surface in the figure). These abutment surfaces 52 are present in the housing 22 and define a reference plane beyond which the contact portions of the spring contact elements 48 and 50 project, as can be seen in FIG. Therefore, if the daughter printed circuit board is biased in the direction of arrow A toward the abutment surface 52, this abutment surface 52 will cause further movement below the printed circuit board and further movement of the spring contact element. Obviously, it forms a stopper means for preventing warpage. The printed circuit board is a spring contact element 48
And 50 in contact engagement, the spring contact element is deflected in the direction of arrow B. When the lower part of the printed circuit board abuts against the reference plane defined by the abutment surface 52 of the wall portion 34a, the spring contact elements are no longer deflected. Accordingly, the spring contact element has a predetermined constant warp, as shown by arrow C for spring contact element 48 and arrow D for spring contact element 50. The slot 2 is formed by the contact surface 52.
4, when each spring contact element 50 projecting in the direction of 4 is biased until its contact portion 50a is located at the position of the contact surface 52, so as to allow deformation of the spring contact element 50, namely The size of the terminal receiving cavity 32a is determined so as not to hinder the free deformation.

It will be appreciated from the above arrangement that the problem of variations in the thickness of the printed circuit board is eliminated. In other words, regardless of the thickness of the printed circuit board, when the printed circuit board is biased toward the abutment surface 52 in the direction of arrow A, the spring contact elements can deflect by the predetermined amount. Therefore, the length of the spring contact element need not be significantly increased to compensate for variations in the thickness of the printed circuit board. Further, by providing a constant warpage of the spring contact element, the spring contact element can effectively exert a constant contact pressure on the contact pads of the printed circuit board. Also, the contact surface 52
Is formed on the left side wall 22a of the housing 22.
That is, it is formed near the position where the spring contact element 50 exists. Therefore, it is close to the contact pad forming area of the printed circuit board. That is, it does not hit the printed circuit board outside the housing. Therefore, even if the printed circuit board is warped across the left and right, and even if the lower central portion of the printed circuit board is protruding, this portion is also reliably brought to the contact surface 52. Thus, the spring contact element contacts the contact pad of the printed circuit board with a constant contact force.

As described above, knowing the exact warpage of the spring contact elements allows the contact points 48a and 5a of the spring contact elements 48 and 50 to be respectively removed from the base portion 42.
The length up to 0a can be made as short as possible. In fact, the length of the short spring contact element 48 from the base portion 42 to the contact point 48a (indicated by arrow E) is 0.0
Designed to be 89 inches. This length is about 0.050
It is expected to be in the range of inches to 0.135 inches. This short spring contact element is the slot means 2
4 (that is, the contact surface 52 indicated by the arrow C).
Is about 0.005 inches, and this distance can vary from about 0.002 inches to 0.010 inches.

As noted above, biasing means are provided on housing 22 for biasing the daughter printed circuit board against a reference plane defined by abutment surface 52 and deflecting spring contact elements 48 and 50. Have been. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the terminals 40 include a base portion 54 projecting across each cavity 32, a spring arm 56 projecting upwardly into the cavity portion 32b, and an abutment surface 52.
And a spring contact element 58 protruding into the slot 24 from the opposite side of the slot 24. It is clear that the spring element 58 is very long and therefore has a biasing force greater than the reactive warping force of the pair of spring contact elements 48 and 50. Therefore, the daughter printed circuit board is inserted into slot 2 in the direction of arrow F.
4, the spring element 58 bent in the opposite direction from the distal end of the spring arm 56 biases the circuit board against the contact surface 52 in the direction of arrow A, causing the spring contact elements 48 and 50 to move in the direction of the arrow. Deviate by a predetermined amount indicated by C and D.

FIG. 2 shows another form of biasing means, in which components corresponding to those shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. More specifically, also in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the terminal 38 'comprises a base portion 42, a barb portion 44, and a short spring contact element 48.
However, the terminal with the "short" spring contact element has its base portion extending as shown at 60, from which the spring arm 62 projects upward and is bent downward to bias the spring means against the spring contact element 48. A second spring portion 64 is defined.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the biasing means, wherein the biasing means is formed by a separate spring element indicated by the reference numeral 66. This means that the housing 2 is located on the other side wall 22b of the slot 24 opposite a terminal such as the one terminal 38 shown.
Attached to 2 '. The spring element 66 includes a spring arm 6 projecting upward toward the hollow portion 32b.
8 and a spring element 70 bent downward and projecting toward the slot 24. The spring element has a base portion 72 with a barb portion 74 projecting upwardly into a hole 76 in the housing. Again, the spring element 66 of the biasing means biases one example of a daughter printed circuit board toward the abutment surface 52 and the contact portion 48a of the spring contact element 48 to the abutment surface 5a.
It is provided to deflect to the position of position 2.

FIG. 4 shows that the resilient portion 78 is
Fig. 7 shows yet another form of biasing means integrally formed with 2 '. The resilient portion 78 protrudes toward the slot 24, the distal end 78a of which biases the daughter printed circuit board in the direction of arrow G toward the abutment surface 52 and the terminal 3
The spring contact element 48 of FIG. 8 is deflected so that its contact portion 48a is located up to the position of the contact surface 52.

FIG. 5 shows that the cam member 80 is
2 ″ ”and the slot 24 ′ in the direction of arrow H
Figure 7 shows yet another biasing means as inserted into The cam member 80 is connected to the cam surface 8 of the housing 22 '''.
2 to bias the daughter printed circuit board toward the abutment surface 52 in the direction of arrow I and to force the spring contact element 48 of the terminal 38 into its contact portion 48a.
Are positioned so as to reach the position of the contact surface 52.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the contact surface 52.
The spring element 58 as a bias means is provided in the slot 2
4 is arranged along one side wall 22b, protrudes toward the slot 24, and
And 50 project into slot 24 from wall 22a opposite slot 24. One side of the slot 24, that is, the rib 84 forming the contact surface 52 that defines the reference plane,
It is formed integrally with the housing 22 between the terminals defining the spring contact elements 48 and 50. Rib inner edge 84a
Are rounded so as to abut directly on the printed circuit board. The imaginary plane 52a drawn through the abutment surface 52 of the rib 84 defines the entire abutment surface when biasing the printed circuit board. The straight contact between the abutment surface 52 and the printed circuit board minimizes the surface area of the printed circuit board in contact with the plastic material of the housing and minimizes polymer contamination of the contact pads.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the same parts as those in the embodiment of FIG. In this example, the connector is set so that the mother printed circuit board 30 and the daughter printed circuit board are in a parallel configuration.
Can be rotated degrees. In this embodiment, the contact leg 46 'of the "short" terminal 38' depends from the bottom of the housing 22. A hanging portion 86 projects downwardly from the housing for engaging the upper surface 28 of the printed circuit board 30. Otherwise, the connector functions as described for FIG. However, in this case, the daughter printed circuit board is inserted into the slot 24 from the direction of arrow J.

FIGS. 8-10 show an electrical connector 90 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, which defines a slot 92 for receiving a mating edge 94a of a daughter printed circuit board 94. FIG. Housing 9
0 is provided. The housing 90 is attached to the upper surface of the mother printed circuit board by a hanging portion 96. The "short" and "long" terminals are alternately mounted on the housing, but only one short terminal 98 is fully illustrated. These terminals have spring contact elements 100 and 102 that project into the slot 92 beyond the abutment surface 104 created by the edge of the wall portion 106 located between the alternating terminals. These terminals have contact legs 108 that engage circuit traces on the mother printed circuit board.

When operating the connector 88 (FIGS. 8-10), the mating edge 94a of the daughter board 94 is inserted into the slot 92 as shown in FIG. Slot 9
With 2 acting as a fulcrum, the printed circuit board is rotated in the direction of arrow K as shown in FIG. The printed circuit board is rotated until its side edges snap into latches 110 provided integrally with the housing at both ends of the connector.
In this fully engaged condition, as in other embodiments of the invention, the housing latch 110 and the wall portion 112 of the slot 92 connect the daughter board to the abutment surface 1.
Bias toward 04 so that the spring contact elements 100 and 102 deflect until their contact portions are at the abutment surface 104.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment which is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 10. In the illustrated example, a daughter board 94 is shown.
Are shown fully latched. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a U-shaped auxiliary spring member 114 mounted around the wall portion 112 is used as a biasing means to exert a biasing force on the daughter board 94 in the direction of arrow I. , Spring contact element 100
And 102 are diverted so that their contact portions are located up to the abutment surface 104.

FIG. 12 shows another connector 8 which is slightly similar to the connector configuration shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and FIG.
8 ′ is shown. Accordingly, in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar components described in FIGS. In this embodiment, the cover 116 is hinged to the housing 90 by an integral hinge 118. A hook type latch 120 is formed at a far end of the cover 116. The cover 116 is rotated in the direction of arrow M with respect to the daughter board 94 to bias the daughter board toward the abutment surface 104 and to move the spring contact elements 100 and 102 until their contact portions are at the abutment surface 104. Deflect Latch 120
Engages with a latch surface (not shown) of the housing 90,
Hold cover 116 in the operative position.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the printed circuit board is mounted in the slot, the bias means presses the other surface below the printed circuit board, and Each spring contact element, which has been brought to one side until it abuts against the abutment surface, and consequently protrudes from the abutment surface in the housing toward the slot, is applied with its contact portion still in contact with the contact pads on the printed circuit board. It is biased until it is located at the interface. When the printed circuit board is biased by the bias means, the displacement of the printed circuit board is always determined at the contact surface in the housing. Therefore, the contact pressure of the spring contact element on the printed circuit board contact pad is kept constant. And there is variation in the width of the printed circuit board, even if a printed circuit board with a width wider than the reference width is inserted into the slot, or if a printed circuit board with a warp on the left and right and a central part protruding is inserted Since the lower part of the printed circuit board to be biased always stops at the contact surface in the housing, the spring contact element does not excessively deform permanently, so that the contact portion of the spring contact element always comes into contact with the contact pad of the printed circuit board. It is well maintained. If the spring contact elements are shortened, it is difficult to protect the contact pressure of all the short spring contact elements on the printed circuit board, or the spring contacts to the printed circuit board contact pads resulting from permanent deformation due to excessive bias force. Although the connection failure of the contact part of the element has occurred, the contact stability of the spring contact element to the printed circuit board can be always stably maintained as described above, and the contact part of the contact part of the spring contact element to the contact pad of the printed circuit board. Since no failure occurs, the spring contact element can be shortened, and the inductance of the terminal, and thus the inductance of the electrical connector itself, can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an elongated edge connector according to the present invention, with some parts thereof removed.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but showing another embodiment in which the biasing means is integrated with a short spring contact element.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment in which the biasing means is formed by individual spring elements.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing yet another embodiment in which the biasing means is shown by a resilient portion integral with the housing.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment in which the bias means is formed by individual cam members.

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of another embodiment of the contact surface.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment applied to a terminal used as a right-angle connector.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a connector in which the printed circuit board is rotated and latched, in which the printed circuit board is inserted into the connector.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the inserted printed circuit board is further rotated from the state of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state where the rotary plate is further latched from the state of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing yet another connector embodiment of the present invention incorporating a molded cover and latch member.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a long spring contact element and biasing means integral therewith.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Edge connector 22 Insulated housing 22a Left side wall 22b Right side wall 24 Slot 26 Hanging part 30 Second printed circuit board 32 Lateral cavity 32a Terminal receiving cavity 32b Terminal receiving cavity 36 Hole 38,40 Terminal 42 Base part 44 Sharp part 46 Contact Legs 48, 50 Spring contact element 52 Contact surface 54 Base part 56 Spring arm 58 Spring element

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Kent E Legnia 541 S, Lombard Grace, Illinois, United States of America (56) References JP-A-3-89477 (JP, A) JP-A-2-54184 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 64-10986 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 2-117682 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 54-147662 (JP, U)

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. An edge connector for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the mating edge, the edge connector being for receiving a mating edge of the printed circuit board. Left and right side walls 22a, 2
Elongated housing 22 with slot 24 between 2b
And a contact portion 50a attached to the housing 22 along a side wall 22a on one side of the slot 24.
4 having a plurality of spring contact elements 50 having
0 and the side wall 22b on the other side of the slot 24
Biasing means disposed along the printed circuit board, and when the printed circuit board is received in the slot 24, the biasing means pushes the other surface of the printed circuit board to contact the printed circuit board. Biasing each of the plurality of spring contact elements 50 with which the portion 50a is in contact,
In the edge connector for a printed circuit board for contacting a plurality of contact pads of the printed circuit board with contact portions 50a of the spring contact elements 50 of the plurality of terminals 40, the one side wall 22a of the housing 22 A terminal receiving cavity 32a for receiving each of the spring contact elements 50 of the terminal 40 and an abutment surface 52 abutting on one surface of the printed circuit board are formed along the inner wall. At the same time, each of the spring contact elements 50 of the terminal 40 is disposed in the terminal receiving cavity 32a such that the contact portion 50a protrudes from the contact surface 52 toward the slot 24, and When the circuit board is mounted in the slot 24 and the other surface below the printed circuit board is pressed by the bias means,
The lower portion of the printed circuit board is moved until one surface thereof abuts against the contact surface 52 in the housing, and as a result, each spring contact element projecting from the contact surface 52 in the housing toward the slot 24. 50 is biased until its contact portion 50a is positioned at the abutment surface 52 in the housing, and this spring contact element 50
An edge connector for a printed circuit board, wherein the size of each of the terminal receiving cavities 32a is determined so as to allow deformation of the edge connector. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means includes:
2. A printed circuit board edge connector according to claim 1, wherein said terminal is a terminal having a plurality of spring contact elements 58 attached along said other side wall 22b. 3. A terminal 38 having a spring contact element 48 shorter than the spring contact element 50 of the terminal 40 mounted on the one side wall 22a.
The terminals 40 having the long spring contact elements 50 and the terminals 38 having the short spring contact elements 48 are alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing 22. The portion 48a is also disposed in the terminal receiving space 32a so as to protrude from the contact surface 52 in the direction of the slot 24. The lower portion of the printed circuit board is mounted in the slot 24, When the other lower surface of the circuit board is pressed by the spring contact element 58 as the biasing means, the lower surface of the printed circuit board is brought close until one surface thereof abuts against the abutment surface 52 in the housing. Each shorter spring contact element 48 which protrudes from the abutment surface 52 in the housing toward the slot 24 is also provided. Each of the terminal receiving cavities 32a is sized to allow the spring contact element 48 to be deformed, until the contact portion 48a is positioned at the abutment surface 52 in the housing, and 3. The printed circuit of claim 2, wherein the length between the base at the terminal and the contact portion of the spring contact element extending over the base is determined to be about 0.09 inches. Edge connector for boards. 4. The spring contact element 48 of the terminal 38.
3. An edge connector for a printed circuit board as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact portion (48a) projects approximately 0.005 inches beyond the abutment surface (52) into the slot (24). 5. The contact portion 50a of the long spring contact element 50 is formed by the printed circuit board having the slot 24.
The contact portion of the biasing means and the abutment surface extend beyond the abutment surface 52 in the housing to the slot 24 when not in the housing, and when the printed circuit board is not received in the slot 24. 52 is less than the thickness of the printed circuit board so that when the printed circuit board is inserted into the slot 24, the contact portion 50a of the long spring contact element 50
2. An edge connector for a printed circuit board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is deflected from the slot and the contact portion of the biasing means is also deflected. 6. The spring contact element 50 having a long length.
The edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the spring contact element 48 having a short length is a cantilever type. 7. An edge connector for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the mating edge, the edge connector being for receiving a mating edge of the printed circuit board. Left and right side walls 22a, 2
Elongated housing 22 with slot 24 between 2b
And a contact portion 48a attached to the housing 22 along a side wall 22a on one side of the slot 24.
3 having a plurality of spring contact elements 48 having
8 and the side wall 22b on the other side of the slot 24
Biasing means disposed along the printed circuit board, and when the printed circuit board is received in the slot 24, the biasing means presses the other surface of the printed circuit board to make contact with one surface of the printed circuit board. Biasing each of the plurality of spring contact elements 48 to which the portion 48a contacts;
In the edge connector for a printed circuit board for contacting a plurality of contact pads of the printed circuit board with contact portions 48a of the spring contact elements 48 of the plurality of terminals 38, the one side wall 22a of the housing 22 is provided. A terminal receiving cavity 32a for receiving each of the spring contact elements 48 of the terminal 38 and an abutment surface 52 abutting on one surface of the printed circuit board are formed along the inner wall side. At the same time, each of the spring contact elements 48 of the terminal 38 is arranged in the terminal receiving cavity 32a such that the contact portion 48a protrudes from the contact surface 52 toward the slot 24. The biasing means comprises a housing 22 extending into the slot 24.
The printed circuit board is mounted in the slot 24, and when the other surface below the printed circuit board is pressed by the resilient section 78, the printed circuit board is The lower portion of the spring contact element 48 which has been brought down until one surface thereof comes into contact with the contact surface 52, so that each spring contact element 48 projecting from the contact surface 52 in the housing toward the slot 24 has its contact portion 48a. The terminal receiving cavity 32a is biased until it is positioned at the abutment surface 52 in the housing, and the size of each of the terminal receiving cavities 32a is determined so as to allow the deformation of the spring contact element 48. Edge connector for circuit boards. 8. The contact portion (48a) of the spring contact element (48) extends into the slot (24) beyond the abutment surface (52) in the housing when the printed circuit board is not present in the slot (24). When the board is not received in the slot 24, the distance between the resilient portion 78 contact portion and the housing abutment surface 52 is less than the thickness of the printed circuit board, thereby reducing the printed circuit board thickness. 8. The edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 7, wherein insertion of a circuit board into said slot 24 deflects said spring contact portion 48a from said slot 24 and also deflects the contact portion of a resilient portion 78. 9. The edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 7, further comprising a spring contact element having a longer length than said spring contact element, wherein both spring contact elements are cantilevered. . 10. The spring contact element 4 of the terminal 38.
8 has a contact surface 52 of about 0.005.
8. The projection of said slot 24 over inches.
An edge connector for a printed circuit board according to item 1. 11. An edge connector for receiving a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the mating edge, the edge connector being for receiving a mating edge of the printed circuit board. Left and right side walls 22a,
Elongated housing 22 with slots 24 between 22b
And a contact portion 48a attached to the housing 22 along a side wall 22a on one side of the slot 24.
3 having a plurality of spring contact elements 48 having
8 and the side wall 22b on the other side of the slot 24
Biasing means disposed along the printed circuit board, and when the printed circuit board is received in the slot 24, the biasing means pushes the other surface of the printed circuit board to contact the printed circuit board. Biasing each of the plurality of spring contact elements 48 to which the portion 48a contacts;
In the edge connector for a printed circuit board for contacting a plurality of contact pads of the printed circuit board with contact portions 48a of the spring contact elements 48 of the plurality of terminals 38, the one side wall 22a of the housing 22 is provided. A terminal receiving cavity 32a for receiving each of the spring contact elements 48 of the terminal 38 and an abutment surface 52 abutting on one surface of the printed circuit board are formed along the inner wall side. At the same time, each of the spring contact elements 48 of the terminal 38 is arranged in the terminal receiving cavity 32a such that the contact portion 48a protrudes from the contact surface 52 toward the slot 24. The bias means is an elastic member 66, 114 fixed to the side wall 22b on the other side of the housing 22. When pressed by the resilient members 66 and 114, the lower side of the printed circuit board is brought closer until one surface thereof comes into contact with the contact surface 52 in the housing. As a result, the slot 24 is moved from the contact surface 52 in the housing. Is biased until its contact portion 48a is located at the position of the contact surface 52, and each of the above-mentioned terminals is allowed to allow the spring contact element 48 to be deformed. An edge connector for a printed circuit board, wherein the size of the receiving cavity 32a is determined. 12. The contact portion (48a) of the spring contact element (48) extends beyond the abutment surface (52) to the slot (24) when the printed circuit board is not present in the slot (24) and connects the printed circuit board to the slot (24). 24, the elastic members 66, 1
The distance between the contact portion 14 and the contact surface 52 is less than the thickness of the printed circuit board, so that when the printed circuit board is inserted into the slot 24, the contact portion 48a of the spring contact element 48 Are deflected from the slots 24 and the elastic members 66, 11
12. The edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 11, wherein the contact members of claim 4 are also diverted. 13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring contact element having a longer length than said spring contact element, said spring contact elements being both cantilevered.
An edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 1. 14. The spring contact element 4 of the terminal 38.
8 has a contact surface 52 of about 0.005.
2. A projection projecting over said slot into said slot 24.
An edge connector for a printed circuit board according to claim 1.